Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Late night in Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
12:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Ely, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
241.5 mi
389 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Ely, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saint Paul, MN to Ely, MN is 241.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I 35 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, largely on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for an uncomplicated way to reach your destination without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.7 miles from Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 105 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 53 | 47.7 mi | 57m |
| Highway 169 | 28.6 mi | 40m |
| I 35E | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| MN 33 | 19.8 mi | 26m |
| State Highway 169 | 14.4 mi | 19m |
| I 694 | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Wabasha Street North | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,612 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~306 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MN and Ely, MN.
1
Start on Wabasha Street North
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Wabasha Street North
2
Turn right onto MN 5
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
7th Street East
3
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Robert Street North
4
Turn right onto 11th Street East
451 ft
·
17 sec
·
11th Street East
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
6
Continue on I 35E
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 10
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 694
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
I 35
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 33
14
Continue on MN 33
19 mi
·
25 min
·
MN 33
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
MN 33
16
Merge onto US 53
37 mi
·
43 min
·
US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 53
113 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 53
18
Continue on US 53
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 53
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Toward MN 169: Ely
20
Continue on MN 169
14 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Continue on MN 169
29 mi
·
40 min
·
Highway 169
Use the straight lane.
22
Arrive at destination
MN 1; MN 169
Trip Plan
For this 4h 48m drive, leaving Saint Paul in the morning allows ample time to reach Ely before dark. With only one recommended stop and 99% highway driving, you can complete this route in a single day. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is based on the 241.5-mile distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further from the Twin Cities, as services can become more spaced out. The longest stretch on I 35 is 105 miles, so plan your refueling before that point if needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.7 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 53 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.7 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ely, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Paul, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Paul, MN
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Saint Paul, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.7 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 7.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Robert Street North
Turn left onto Robert Street North
Navigation decision point
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.24 one way
$76.48 round trip
$4.02/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.28 | $40.72 | $81.44 |
| premium | $4.85 | $46.09 | $92.19 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $53.23 | $106.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.36 | $11.59 |
| Efficient EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.13 | $9.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.81 | $15.46 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ely, MN
Late night in Ely on Wednesday
Local time
12:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 99% highway, meaning you'll spend nearly the entire 4h 48m drive on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 105 miles on I 35. You'll notice the transition from the urban and suburban environment around Saint Paul to more rural cruising as you head north on US 53. Expect frequent exits early on, giving way to more open road.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Robert Street North.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 241.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Robert Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,599 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
904 ft
Total Descent
261 ft
Highest Point
1,599 ft
~189.7 mi in
Elevation Range
810 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Saint Paul, MN to Ely, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
Iron Range
130.5 mi in
|
~2h 23m
|
via MN 33
About the Cities
Starting in Saint Paul, MN
Full guide →Founded 1854
Saint Paul (or St. Paul) is the capital city and the second largest city of the US state of Minnesota. Along with the slightly larger Minneapolis it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolis in the Midwest.
Top landmarks
- • Minnesota State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Minnesota
- • Cathedral of Saint Paul, National Shrine of the Apostle Paul — cathedral in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
- • Saint Paul Union Depot — train station in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Arriving in Ely, MN
Full guide →Ely is a town of 3,400 people (2019) in Northeastern Minnesota. Ely is best known as a popular entry point for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the International Wolf Center, and the North American Bear Center.
Top landmarks
- • State Theater — movie theater in Ely, Minnesota, United States
- • Pioneer Mine — mine in Ely, United States of America
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ely, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Robert Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Ely, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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